Road-grader.



PATBNTED JUNE 2s, 1904.

I H. Woonvs. ROAD GRADBR. AVPPLI'ATI-ON FILED `HAR. 3. 1904.

N0 MODEL.

UNITED STATES Patented June 28, 1.904.

HENRY WOODS, OF ALEXANDRIA, MISSOURI.

RCAD-GRADER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of VVLetters Patent No. 763,650, dated June 28, 1904. Application filed March 3, 1904.-. Seial No, 196,403- k(No model.)

To a/ZZ whom, it may concern/ Be itknown that I, HENRY IOODS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alexandria, inthe county of Clark and State of Missouri, have invented anew and useful Road-Grader, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for grading and levelingroads; and it has for its object to provide a device of this class-which shall possess superior advantages inpoint of simplicity, durability, ease of operation, and general efficiency.

With these and other ends in view, which will readily appear as the nature of theY invention is better understood,the same consists in the improved construction, arrangement, and combination of parts which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferred form of embodiment of my invention, it being understood, however, that I do not limit myself to the precise structural details therein exhibited, but

reserve the right to such changes,-alterations,.

and modifications as come fairly within the scope of the invention and which may be resorted to kwithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing the utility of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 2 2 in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the side members or sections arranged for operating upon the sides of a road to scrape the dirt in the direction of thecenter. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan View showing the side members of the device adjusted closely together for operation upon the middle of the road. Fig. 5 is atransverse sectional view illustrating a modiiication.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by similar numerals of reference.

The improved road grading and leveling machine which is the subject of this invention may be described as being composed, essentially, of two side members 1 l, each of which is composed of two vertical or approximately vertical vblades or Scrapers 2 and 3,

which are connected at suitable intervals by spacing members 4, each ofV which, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is composed of a shank 5, provided at its ends with disks 6, connected with the inner sides of the blades 2 3 byfmeans of bolts or in any other suitable manner. I desire it to be distinctly understood that-the blades 2 3 of each of the side members of the device may, if preferred, be connected and spaced apart by other means than those herein described and still be-within lthe scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that it is not absolutely necessary that the blades 2 3 should be disposed parallel to each other or that they should be entirely perpendicular, inasmuch as any reasonable variations maybe made from these conditions without departing from the spirit of the invention. The blades 2 3 of each section are preferably of the same length; but they are preferably disposed the one slightly in advance of the other, as will be readily seen by reference Yto the figures of the drawings. The blades 2 3, which constitute the side members orsections of the device, are preferably provided with outturned lower edges 7 8, forming cutting edges. It is obvious, however, that when the device is dragged over the ground only lone of the .cutting edges is active, the other. and temporarily-inactive cutting edge being meanwhile sharpened by sliding over the soil in contact therewith. By reversing the side members end for end the conditions will be reversed, and the device. is consequently self-sharpening, as will be readily understood;

' In operation the side members l 1 are connected near their rear ends by means of a chain 9 of suitable length, the blades 2 and 3 being' provided with suitably-disposed eyes l() for the attachment of said chain. Draft is applied independently to the two sections 1 l at the front ends of vthe latter by means of Vof` the road the surface of which is thus leveled, the dirt contained in the high places being deposited in low places or carried in IOO the direction of the center of the road. By shortening the chain the surplus dirt will be deposited in a ridge in the center of the road.

It is obvious that my improved device may be readily adjusted with regard to the width of the road by simply causing the teams to travel at the edges of the road. Yarrowl or wide roads may thus be operated upon with equal efhciency and facility, although in the case of wide roads it may be deemed necessary to go over the ground twice.

By turning the side sections or scraper-sections 1 l end for end it is obvious that the blades will be reversed, thus enabling one of the blades to be constantly sharpened while the other is active.

The scraper-sections may be constructed entirely of iron or steel or the blades may consist of planks shod with steel, or any other suitable construction of the parts may be resorted to within the scope of my invention. I also desire it to be understood that while not generally necessary the sections or side members of the device may be suitably weighted, or they may be provided with platforms upon which the drivers may stand for the purpose of weighting them when necessary.

As hereinbefore stated, it is not necessary or essential that the blades of each scrapersection be disposed parallel to each other or approximately perpendicular With relation to the ground. It may be added that the shape of said blades may be considerably modified within the scope of the invention. Thus. for instance, lin Fig. 5 of the drawings I have illustrated a scraper section composed of blades 2 3, which may be described as being concavo convex or provided with cutting edges at their upper and lower edges. When this construction is resorted to, it is obvious thatthe entire machine may be inverted without changing the nature of the operation thereof. At times it may also be found useful to employ the device illustrated in Figs. l to 4, inclusive, in an inverted position, thus dispensing entirely with the use of the cutting edges for the time being. Numerous other modifications and changes may be resorted to, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, I claiml. In a road-working machine, a scraper member comprising a pair of approximately parallel vertical blades suitably connected and spaced apart.

2. In a device of the class described, a scraping member comprising a pair of approximately .vertical parallel members, suitably connected and spaced apart and provided with outturned lower edges.

3. In a device of the class described, a scraper comprising a pair of approximately parallel vertical members suitably connected and spaced apart and provided with outturned cutting edges and having means for the attachment of draft at either end.

4. In a road-working implement, a pair of side members, each comprising av pair of approximately parallel vertical scraping members, suitably spaced apart, flexible means connecting said side members, and means for attaching draft to the latter.

5. A road-working implement comprising two end for-end reversible side members, each having oppositely-faced cutting members and flexible connecting means for'said side members.

6; In a device of the class described, an invertible and reversible scraper comprising two suitably spaced and connected blades.

7 1n a device of the class described, a plurality of elements, each consisting of an invertible and reversible scraper comprising two suitably spaced and connected blades, and connecting means for said elements.V

8. A device of the class described consisting of two earth-engaging elements or Scrapers, flexible connecting means for the rear ends of said Scrapers, and means for applying draftindependently to the front ends of the same.

9. A device of the class described consisting of two independent earth-engaging elements or Scrapers, each of said Scrapers consisting of a pair of blades suitably spaced and connected, fiexible connecting means for the rear ends of said elements, and means for applying draft independently to the front ends of said elements.

10. A 'road-working device including two invertible and reversible earth-engaging elements, each consisting of two blades suitably spaced and connected, means for Hexibly connecting the ends of said elements, and means for applying draft t'o the disconnected ends of said elements. 4

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

HENRY VOODS. Witnesses:

D. H. SAGE, CHARLES MoCoY.

IOO 

